Clermont health worker Tam Dixon Frewin killed in horror Peak Downs Highway crash

An Australia Day Citizen of the Year nominee who was killed in a “confronting” car crash on Wednesday was transporting a 76-year-old patient. Read the tributes for the much-loved mother of three.

A Clermont hero has been remembered for her “larrikin” humour and “big heart” after she lost her life in a horror crash while driving a patient on the Peak Downs Highway.

Isaac Citizen of the Year nominee and mother of three Tam Dixon Frewin, pictured, died in a head-on collision on Wednesday afternoon, leaving a devastating void in the rural town.

The Clermont health worker was driving a 76-year-old patient from Mackay back to Clermont about 3.15pm when the Honda she was driving was involved in a crash with a Toyota.

A 33-year-old Mackay woman was trapped after serious head-on collision on the Peak Downs Highway. The RACQ CQ Rescue Service chopper flew her to Mackay Base Hospital with leg and arm injuries. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue Service

Mrs Dixon Frewin was a tireless health worker helping the community’s sick and vulnerable, regularly transporting elderly people from Clermont to doctors’ appointments in bigger cities.

A relative of Mrs Dixon, Kylie McCartney, highlighted the sincerity of Mrs Dixon’s selfless heart.

“Mum always had love for her niece Tam and the feeling was mutual — Tam always checked in on mum to see how she was travelling,” Mrs McCartney said.

“Our thoughts today are with Ian and her three boys as they try and make sense of this.”

Isaac Citizen of the Year nominee Tam Dixon Frewin lost her life in a tragic crash on the Peak Downs Highway. She is pictured with her husband Ian. Picture: Facebook

A hail of loving tributes continue to pour in for Mrs Dixon as news spreads of the tragic death.

Georgina Looker heralded the 44 year old as one of the “most genuine” people she ever had the pleasure of meeting.

“[She was] one of the first people I met when we moved to town,” Mrs Looker said in a post on Facebook.

“When our sons become besties all through school we’d always have a chat when dropping one of them off to each other.

“We never passed one another in the street without pulling up to solve the world's problems either.

“My heart breaks for Frewy and the boys. Deepest condolences to all your family.

“Fly high lovely lady, there will never be another like you.”

Along with Mrs Dixon’s big heart, her big sense of humour has also been remembered.

Mrs Dixon Frewin’s friend Sue Riggs described her as “one of a kind with a big heart and always some cheek”.

“Tammy and I would chat in Emerald every time I saw her when she bought her oldies over,” Mrs Riggs said.

“This is just so sad.”

Tam Dixon Frewin died in a Peak Downs Highway crash while transporting a patient from Mackay to Clermont. Another woman was flown to hospital with serious injuries. Picture: Contributed

Mackay Hospitals and Health Chief Executive Lisa Davies Jones shared her “deepest sympathies” with those involved in the tragedy, singling Mrs Dixon out as a loved and valued member of the Mackay HHS family.

“Tammy is remembered for her happy nature as she worked to support her clients,” Ms Davies Jones said

“Her beautiful smile, infectious personality and caring nature meant she would do anything to help others.

“Always a larrikin, she had a big heart and will be missed by her colleagues and the community.”

Her sister Karen Dixon said her sister would be “missed by all” in a post to Facebook on Wednesday.

“Tam would do this trip at least twice a week, taking her oldies to Mackay to see doctors,” she said.

Queensland Health director general Dr John Wakefield sent a communication to health workers, offering Mrs Dixon’s colleagues counselling and support services.

“Such tragedies are deeply distressing for any community, but particularly so for tight-knit communities like Clermont,” Dr Wakefield said.

“I want staff at Mackay Hospital and Health Service to know that all of Queensland Health is thinking of you at this difficult time.”

Sisters Julie Dixon and Karen Dixon are mourning the lost of their sister Tammy who lost her life in a crash on Wednesday. Picture: Facebook

Isaac Regional Council Mayor Anne Baker said she too was deeply saddened at the loss.

“Recently nominated for Citizen of the Year in the Isaac Region Australia Day Awards for her dedication to the vulnerable members of our community, she was known for her kindness and willingness to help out the oldies,” she said.

“We send our deepest heartfelt sympathies to Tammy’s family, friends and the wider community.

“We extend our thoughts and appreciation to our first responders who attended the tragic accident yesterday outside of Nebo.”

Mackay Forensic Crash Unit officer-in-charge Michael Hollett said the crash, involving two cars spinning off to opposite sides of the highway, was “just a tragic occurrence”.

“She was just going about her day and she just got caught in a situation that happened extremely quickly,” he said.

“We need to work out why this crash occurred.

“The scene was quite confronting. Both vehicles were very heavily damaged.”

Sergeant Hollett said Ms Dixon Frewin more than likely died on impact from the head-on collision as there were no signs of life when the paramedics arrived.

He said the investigation into the crash would take four to eight weeks but they would take a blood specimen from the other driver to see if drugs or alcohol played a part.